Thousands attend immigration rally at University of Michigan

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (WJBK) - Thousands of people gathered at the University of Michigan on a sweltering hot Saturday.

They were there protesting the Trump administration's recent ICE policy of forcibly separating illegal immigrants - and taking children from their parents at the U.S. border.

"It is not okay to do that to anybody," said Margot Finn, rally organizer. 

"Just seeing how many people are here just shows how much this is a united front," said Nolan Bona. "It is hard to watch the news nowadays and not feel something. That's exactly how I feel, that's why I am here."

Protesters of all ages wore white at the rally. 

"This idea of wearing white is a way to connect people to social justice struggles that have been going on for a long time," said Finn.

In recent weeks more than 2,000 immigrant children were taken and placed in government contracted shelters.

After an international outcry, President Donald Trump ordered an end to the separation at the border. Still many of those children have not been reunited with their parents and many say it's unclear how the reunification process will take place.

"You know what's happening in this country right now?" said speaker Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Michigan). "Is challenging who we are as Americans."

Lindsey Jaime and her husband Justin came from Saginaw to attend the rally with their three little boys in tow.

And while they may be too young to really understand what's going on - Lindsey and Justin are confident they will learn something from being here at this rally.

"We all can live with compassion and kindness and still be a great nation," Lindsey said.